Embroidery-frame.



R. BLOCH & F. SUES S.

EMBROIDERY FRAME. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22; 1915.

1,257,271 Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

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nvewfou Richard '51 001 Fra n 2 671.655 351, M attozwz a i R. BLOCH 81 F. SUESS EMBROIDERY FRAME. APPLICATION man No.22; 1915.

1,257,271. Patented Feb. 19, 1918.

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Franz s ess $13 a ikozmm a I 0 W W W UNITED sTArEs rarnnr OFFICE.

RICHARD BLOCH AND FRANZ SUESS, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO THE KURSHEEDT MANUFACTURING C01VI?ANY, 015 NEW YORK, N. 1., A CORPO- RATION OF NEXV YORK.

EMBROIDERY-FRAME.

Lie-57,271.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, RICHARD BLooH, subject of the Emperor of Germany, and FRANZ Snnss, a citizen of Switzerland, both residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Embroidery- Frames; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to Which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in embroidery machines, and particularly to embroidery frames therefor provided with mechanism for winding and unwinding the fabric to be embroidered upon either roll independently, and for unwinding the fabric from one roll and on to the other simultaneously, as desired.

The frames of embroidering machines, as commonly constructed, are provided with upper and lower rolls, or two sets of such rolls. upon which the fabric to be em= broidercd is mounted and between which it is held. The frames themselves are mounted in the embroidery machines so that they can be moved either vertically or longitudinally in accordance with the pattern to be produced, and for the purpose of bringing uncmbroidered portions of the fabric in proper position to be embroidered.

lVhen putting a new piece of fabric into the embroidery frames, it is common pracrice to fasten the upper edge of the fabric to the upper roll and to roll it thereon, then to attach the lower edge of the fabric to the lower roll, and unroll the fabric from the upper roll onto the lower roll, so that the upper portion of the fabric will be first eml'noidered. So also, from time to time, it is necessary to unroll unembroidered fabric from the lower roll and to roll the emhri'sidered portion. of the fabric on to the upper roll, thus bringing the uneinbroidered portions of the fabric in proper position to be embroidered, until the whole fabric has been completed.

In machines which have heretofore been constrimted the rolling of the fabric on to the upper roll, and the subsequent unrolling of the fabric from one roll on to the other, has. in so far as we are aware, been effected by hand. the operator grasping the roll with his hand and turning it a suflicient amount to roll or unrol-l the fabric to the desired Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 22, 1915.

Patented Feb. 19, 1918. Serial No. 68,142.

extent. So also, in um'olliug the fabric from one roll on to the other, it has been necessary for the operator to graspone roll with one hand and the other with the. other hand in order that the rolling and unrollinp; might take place in the proper manner. Since the lower roll is usually mounted at the lower end of the embroidery frame, and near the bottom of the machine, the rolling of the fabric on to this roll, or the unrollin'g therefrom, by hand, is often a difficult operation, particularly when the operator must also operate the upper roll at the same time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide mechanism which will enable the rolls to be operated, and the fabric to be suitably mounted and operated thereon, without the necessity of manual operation of the individual rolls.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following more detailed description.

According to the present invention, there is provided upon the embroidery frame, means, such as suitable gearing, connecting the upper and lower rolls so that they can be rotated simultaneously to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other, when desired. The gearing is also so connected that it can be disconnected fromcither the up.-

per or lower rolls so that eitherroll can be rotated independently thereby. The mechanism is, moreover, so arranged with respect to the embroidery machine that it can be operated from the back of the machine in (a simple and convenient manner.

The invention will be more fully described. v

in connection with the embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it will be understood that the invention is illustrated by, but is not limited to, the specific embodiment thereof so illustrated and described.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1' shows one end ofan embroidery frame, separated from the framework of the machine itself, and with the novel mechanism of the present invention combined therewith. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the frame of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on the line of Fig. 3, and

Fi' :5 is a detail section taken on the line.

of Fig. 1. V The inventlon is illustrated as 1t isa-r ranged upon one end of an embroidery frame. Such frames are usually made up of end uprights 1 and top and bottom frame pieces 2 and 3 extending from one upright to the other. The frame illustrated is of the type in which two sets of rolls are provided so that two pieces of fabric can be held therein and embroidered at the same time. The upper set of rolls is indicated at 1, 5, and the lower set at 6, 7. These rolls, and the frame in which they are mounted, are of considerable length, for example, 10 yards, although longer or shorter frames may be used where longer or shorter fabrics are to be embroidered. Embroidery frames are in practice commonly made of lengths suflicient to accommodate a fabric of 8 or 10 yards, or even of 12 or 15 yards.

Each roll is provided at its end near the frame with a ratchet wheel 8, and suitable pawls 9 are arranged upon the frame to engage with the ratchet wheels and hold the roll in adjusted position. A plurality of pawls of different lengths are usually provided so that a closer adjustment of the rolls can be secured. The rolls are also provided near their ends with slots or recesses 10 for the insertion of wrenches or levers for increasing or decreasing the tension upon the fabric. Thus, when it is desired to increase the tension upon the fabric, a wrench or lever is inserted in one of these recesses and the roll turned through a small angle, the pawl serving to lock the roll in the desired position. Also, when it is desired to loosen the fabric, the roll is similarly turned to permit disengaging of the pawls.

According to the present invention, the shafts or extensions 11 of the rolls, which extend through and are supported by the upright members 1 of the frame, are provided with suitable gears, such as bevel gears 12, at their outer ends. These gears mesh with bevel gears 13 upon a shaft 1% arranged at right angles to the rolls. A frame 15 is provided opposite the upper roll for supporting the shaft 1 1 and the gear carried thereby, as well as for supporting the other end of the shaft 11. This frame 15 has a rear extension 16 which forms an outer bearing for the shaft 14, and which also forms a bearing for the operating handle 17 which is pivoted thereto and which is also pivoted to connecting links 18 attached at their other ends to a sleeve 19 mounted upon the bevel gear member 13. As indicated in Figs. 3 and a, the gear member 13 is pinned to the operating shaft 1 1, while this shaft is slidably mounted in the frame 15 so that the gear member 13 can be moved out of or into engagement with the gear 12 by means of the operating handle 17. The handle 17 thus forms the operating lever of a clutch for throwing the gears 12 and 13 into or out of mesh.

Similar clutches, and similar operating handles 17, are provided for the lower roll. of the upper set and for the upper roll of the lower set, as clearly illustrated. These latter operating handles 17 are held by spring clips when the gears are in engagement, so that accidental disengagement and unclutching of the gears is prevented.

The bevel gear members 13 are further provided with sprocket wheels as shown, and the sprocket wheels of each set of rolls are connected together bv a chain 22. In order to take up the slack, and to provide for tightening of this chain from time to time, it is arranged to run over an idler 23, pivotallv supported by the arm 2% and achustable by means of the arm 25. This idler and its supporting arms are mounted upon any suitable portion of the frame, as, for example, the arm 26.

A similar idler 27 is provided for the chain connecting the lower set of sprocket wheels, and this idler also is adjustably mounted upon the arm 28, carried by a bracket 37 attached to the upright 1.

The lower roll 7 is usually arranged near the floor at the bottom of the machine, and access to it is often difficult because of the framework of the machine surrounding the embroidery frame. Clutches such as those used on the upper rolls would be inaccessible and difficult to operate if arranged similarlv at the lower roll. In order to provide for more advantageous operation of the lower clutch, an arm or bell crank 30 is provided, directly attached at one end to the gear to be unclutched and at the other end to the operating rod 31, which is slotted at its upper end and provided with rollers 32 ar ranged to roll upon the surface of the cam The construction is illustrated in detail in Fig. 5, from which it will be seen that the cam 33 is provided with a suitable operating handle 3-1 and is mounted upon the pin or bolt 35, carried by the bracket 37. The cam 33 is, instead of being round, of an unsymmetrical or irregular contour, so that it will operate positively upon both the upper and lower rollers 32 to positively raise and lower the operating lever 31 and thus disengage and engage the lower gears.

An operating handle 20 is provided, of a nature such that it can be attached to the end of the operating rod 14: at the top of the frame, or to the corresponding operating rod or shaft arranged opposite the upper roll of the lower set of rolls. The handle is shown attached to the latter operating shaft to operate the gearing of the lower rolls.

The arrangement of the gearing connecting the rolls of each set, and of the clutches for each roll, is such that either or both clutches can be thrown into engagement or out of en agement. as desired. By disengaging both clutches, the sprocket wheels and ge rs 13 can be operated by the handle 20 without turning either roll. Bv connect ing either of the gears 13 with the corresponding gear 12, either the roll 4 or the roll 5 can be turned in either direction; while by connecting both clutches, both rolls can be rotated together. The pawls 9 will, of course, prevent rotation in one direction unless they are first disengaged.

The operation of the gearing connecting the lower set of rolls is substantially the same as that connecting the upper set. The clutch for the lower roll is, however, of a different construction, as above indicated.

In the operation of the apparatus of the present invention, assuming a new piece of fabric is to be placed in the upper pair of rolls, the upper edge of the fabric is attached to the upper roll and the operating handle is connected to the operating rod or shaft 14 opposite the upper roll. The lower gear is disengaged from the lower roll while the upper gear is engaged. By then turning the handle 20 the gearing will be operated and will turn the roll Al and wind the fabric thereon. When the fabric has been wound on this roll until the lower end thereof is opposite the lower roll 5, this lower end will be attached to the lower roll 5 and the lower clutch will be thrown into engagement. By then operating the handle 20 in the opposite direction the fabric will be unrolled from the upper roll on to the lower roll 5 until the upper portion of the fabric is brought to the proper position to be embroidered. By then disengaging one of the clutches, so that the rolls can be independently rotated, either roll can be turned to an extent sufficient to put the proper tension upon the fabric. This tensioning of the fabric may be effected by the operation of the gearing, or it may be effected by the application of a wrench or lever to the recesses 10 at the ends of the shaft. This tensioning by the use of such a wrench or lever is substantially the same as that which is now used, while the tensioning by the gearing provides an alternative method which can be used in a similar manner, if the gearing is suitably constructed to enable putting the proper tension upon the rolls. The rolls will, of course, be held in their adjusted position by the pawls 9-.

After the fabric has been adjusted in the frame and has been properly tensione'd, it is ready to be embroidered in the usual man ner.

The insertion of a new piece of fabric into the lower set of rolls is effected in a similar manner. and the mechanism of the present invention utilized therefor. The arrangement of the gearing for operating the lower set of rolls is of particular value because of the inaccessible nature of the lower roll, and because of the provision of all necessary operating parts near the center of the embroidery frame wherethey are readily accessible.

The embroidering of the fabric, after it has been properly arranged in the embroidery frames, is accomplished in the usual manner. The necessary relative motion of the needles and fabric is obtained in part by relative motion of the needles with respect to the fabric and in part by relative movement of the embroidery frame and fabric with respect to the needles.

After the pattern has been embroidered in one portion of the fabric, it is necessary to raise the fabric in order to bring another portion into proper position to be embroidered. The rolls are usually an ranged a sufficient distance apart (e. 9., to 3 feet), so that, unless the patterns are too large, several patterns can be enibroidered upon the fabric held between the rolls. In such cases, the frame as a whole is raised to bring the unembroidered portions of the fabric into proper posit-ion.

When the fabric between the rolls has been embroidered it is necessary to unroll further portions of unembroidered fabric from the lower roll, and to roll the embroidered portions on to the upper roll. Instead of accomplishing this unrolling and rolling bv hand, as heretofore practised, the novel meachanism of the present invention provides for the simultaneous unrolling from one roll and rolling on to the other by a single operating mechanism. By loosening the fabric from one roll and thereby decreasing the tension, and by then connecting both rolls with the gearing, the operator is enabled to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other simultaneously, and by a single operation. When the fabric has been moved to the desired extent it can be again tensioned by disconnecting one of the rolls and by rotating the other to the proper degree.

When the fabric has been completely embroidered, it is disconnected from the lower roll, and the operator can then unroll the fabric from the upper roll by connecting the gearing with that roll.

The introduction and removal of the lower fabric takes place in a similar manner. It will be understood that with a frame such as that illustrated, both the upper and lower fabrics will be embroidered at the same time, and their introduction and removal, as well as their adjustment, will tal're place at the same time.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the novel mechanism of the present invention provides for the rolling, unrolling, and independent or simultaneous operationof the rolls, in a simple and convenient manner, and by a single operating mechanism. It will further be seen that the parts are arranged so that they are particularly accessible to the operator. That is to say, the operating handle and shaft eX- tend outwardly in the rear of the frame, so that the framework and structure of the embroidery machine in which the frame is mounted does not interfere with its operation.

It will be understood that the embroidery frame illustrated is mounted in the embroidery machine in the usual manner, and that it is adj ustably and movably supported therein (by means not shown), so that it can be raised or lowered, or vibrated longitudinally, in accordance with the movements imparted thereto by the embroidery machine. The framework of the machine surrounds the embroidery frame and usually extends to some distance both in front and at the back thereof. Accordingly, the arrangement of the operating mechanism is a particularlv convenient and accessible one, and one easily operated.

The advantages of the novel mechanism of the present invention will be apparent from the above description. Instead of operating the rolls independently by hand, and turning both rolls'simultaneously by hand when unrolling from one roll on to the other as desired. the novel mechanism of the present invention provides for simultaneous unrolling and rolling. or independent unrolling1 from either roll or rolling on to either ro Instead of the particular form of gearing illustrated, it will be understood that other equivalent forms will operate in a similar manner. It will also be understood that other equivalent clutch mechanism will operate in substantially the same manner, and that various types of clutch and gear mechanism are available for purposes of the invention.

What we claim is:

1. An embroidery frame provided with upper and lower rolls for supporting the fabric to be embroidered, bevel gears on the ends of said rolls, shafts at right angles to said rolls, complementary bevel gears mounted upon said shafts, and adapted to meshv with the bevel gears on the rolls, means connecting the complementary bevel gears to operate the same together, means for connecting and disconnecting either of said complementary gears and the corresponding gears on the ends of the rolls, and means for operating said complementary gears arranged in front of the frame and connected to one of the shafts upon which the complementary gears are mounted, whereby either roll can be rotated independently of the other to roll the fabric thereon or unroll the fabric therefrom or both rolls together to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other; substantially as described.

2. An embroidery frame provided with upper and lower rolls for supporting the fabric to be embroidered, bevel gears on the ends of said rolls, shafts at right angles to said rolls, complementary bevel gears mounted upon said shafts and adapted to mesh with the bevel gears on the rolls, sprocket wheels combined with said complementary gears to rotate therewith, a chain connecting the sprocket wheels, an operating handle for operating the sprocket wheels and gears, and means for throwing either or both of the complementary gears into and out of mesh with the gears on the ends of the rolls. whereby either roll can be rotated independently of the other to roll the fabric thereon or unroll the fabric therefrom or both rolls together to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other; substantially as described.

3. An embroidery frame provided with upper and lower rolls for supporting the fabric to be embroidered, bevel gears on the ends of said rolls, shafts at right angles to said rolls, complementary bevel gears mounted upon said shafts and adapted to mesh with the bevel gears on the rolls, means connecting the complementary bevel gears to operate the same together, the shafts upon which the complementary gears are mounted being movable longitudinally with the gears to throw the gears into and out of engagement with the corresponding gears on the ends of the rolls, and means for moving said shafts to effect such engagement and disengagement, whereby either roll can be rotated independently of the other to roll the fabric thereon or unroll the fabric therefrom or both rolls together to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other; substantially as described.

4. An embroidery frame provided with upper and lower rolls for supporting the fabric to be embroidered, gears on the ends of said rolls, brackets attached to said frame said brackets extending forwardly and forming a hearing at their forward ends, shafts carried by the brackets, complementary gears on the shafts, the complementary gears being connected together and their shafts being slidable in said brackets, and operating arms or handles mounted on the forward ends of said brackets and arranged to move said shafts to throw the gears into and out of engagement with the corresponding gears on the ends of the rolls, whereby one roll can be rotated independently to roll the fabric thereon or unroll. the fabric therefrom or both rolls together to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other; substantially as described.

5. An embroidery frame provided with upper and lower rolls for supporting the fabric to be embroidered, gears on the ends of said rolls, complementary gears arranged to engage therewithand connected together for simultaneous operations, means in connection wlth the upper complementary gear for operating said gears, and means for disengaging the lower gears from each other arranged to be operated from near the upper roll, whereby the engagement and disengagement of the lower gears and the operation of the complementary gears can be effected from near the upper roll, and whereby one roll can be rotated independently to roll the fabric thereon or unroll the fabric therefrom or both rolls together to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other; substantially as described.

6. An embroidery frame provided with upper and lower rolls for supporting the fabric to be embroidered, bevel gears on the ends of said rolls, shafts at right angles to said rolls, complementary bevel gears mounted upon said shafts and adapted to mesh with the bevel gears on the rolls, means connecting the complementary bevel Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the gears to operate the same together, means for disengaging the lower gears from each other including an operating arm extending up a considerable distance from the lower roll, the operating arm having rollers on its upper end, a cam mounted on the frame and arranged between said rollers to raise and lower the operating arm and thereby throw the lower gears into and out of engagement, whereby said disengaging means is operated from a considerable distance above the lower roll, and whereby one roll can be rotated independently to roll the fabric thereon or unroll the fabric therefrom or both rolls together to unroll the fabric from one roll on to the other; substantially as described.

In testimony tures.

RICHARD BLOCH. FRANZ SUESS.

commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

whereof we affix our signa- 

